More Toys for Birthday?

Am I the only one having trouble coming up with a wish list for LO's birthday? The family is all far away and we traditionally make lists for these sorts of things. His Christmas list was no problem; however, I'm having trouble with a list for his birthday. He just got so much stuff for Christmas! I just don't feel like he needs more toys. Couple that with the fact that we prefer simple (ideally wood) toys that don't require any batteries and I'm really struggling here. I know, I know, three months away. But I have some craziness going on personally that I can't control so I'm working on things I have some control over. Thoughts?

Note: We have shelves full of books already, a full wardrobe of 12 month clothes (he's small), and about 1/2 a wardrobe of 18 month clothes.

Am I the only one having trouble coming up with a wish list for LO's birthday? The family is all far away and we traditionally make lists for these sorts of things. His Christmas list was no problem; however, I'm having trouble with a list for his birthday. He just got so much stuff for Christmas! I just don't feel like he needs more toys. Couple that with the fact that we prefer simple (ideally wood) toys that don't require any batteries and I'm really struggling here. I know, I know, three months away. But I have some craziness going on personally that I can't control so I'm working on things I have some control over. Thoughts?

Note: We have shelves full of books already, a full wardrobe of 12 month clothes (he's small), and about 1/2 a wardrobe of 18 month clothes.

Open a bank account or Cd's for future schooling. That's what I did with the money DD got for her baptism :) There is no rule that you need to spend, buy, or toy your child for every event, birthday or holiday. If your gut says he's got enough follow it and you will be setting a great example momma!

Open a bank account or Cd's for future schooling. That's what I did with the money DD got for her baptism :) There is no rule that you need to spend, buy, or toy your child for every event, birthday or holiday. If your gut says he's got enough follow it and you will be setting a great example momma!

same issue here! Since Abby was born 2 weeks early her bday is in less than 2 months!!(Feb. 26th). I don't think she needs any clothes since my SIL gave us 3 huge garbage bags full of hand me downs and she got TONS of toys. I'm kinda stuck. So I think I'm going to decorate her room . We didn't know the gender and I never really dressed her room up girly. So I'll buy her some new bedding and some girly things for her room. I also want to get her a keepsake for her first bday as well.Â

same issue here! Since Abby was born 2 weeks early her bday is in less than 2 months!!(Feb. 26th). I don't think she needs any clothes since my SIL gave us 3 huge garbage bags full of hand me downs and she got TONS of toys. I'm kinda stuck. So I think I'm going to decorate her room . We didn't know the gender and I never really dressed her room up girly. So I'll buy her some new bedding and some girly things for her room. I also want to get her a keepsake for her first bday as well.Â

My parents are totally on board with that thought. We had a discussion about 529s etc. last night. I'm not so sure DH's family will be as happy with that. I just hate to see them buy things for LO that he doesn't need and that realistically I'll probably give away. But I really can't control what they do, I suppose.

My parents are totally on board with that thought. We had a discussion about 529s etc. last night. I'm not so sure DH's family will be as happy with that. I just hate to see them buy things for LO that he doesn't need and that realistically I'll probably give away. But I really can't control what they do, I suppose.

That's a great thought for her birthday! I'm sure she'll love it. We will likely be moving soon, so I can't steal the idea, but it is something to consider later on. I usually give gifts that involve experiences rather than things but can't quite figure out how to translate that to a 1 year old.

That's a great thought for her birthday! I'm sure she'll love it. We will likely be moving soon, so I can't steal the idea, but it is something to consider later on. I usually give gifts that involve experiences rather than things but can't quite figure out how to translate that to a 1 year old.

I understand the in-laws perspective too, they want the immediate gratification of having something to give. It's a hard balancing act. Hubby and I have decided that the birthday is going to be about celebrating and having fun. So we want to do a fun activity every year and have a cool birthday cake. We are only going to give 1 present and a card. I'm going to start a "birthday" scarpbook with a picture of DD with her cake each year and give it to her on her 18th birthday.

I understand the in-laws perspective too, they want the immediate gratification of having something to give. It's a hard balancing act. Hubby and I have decided that the birthday is going to be about celebrating and having fun. So we want to do a fun activity every year and have a cool birthday cake. We are only going to give 1 present and a card. I'm going to start a "birthday" scarpbook with a picture of DD with her cake each year and give it to her on her 18th birthday.

I think a special keepsake is a great idea or start a new family tradition for birthdays that don't necessarily require a birthday present. I know I want to start something like that but I'm not quite sure what to do yet. I did think about getting Claire just one big present such as maybe a wagon or something so we have one for the summer but I haven't decided since some of them seem to be ridiculously expensive. She will need summer clothes but other than that i really don't want her to have anymore toys....our place is too small and she got way too much from the grandparents for Christmas.Â

I've thought about maybe getting her a littleÂ snow globeÂ each birthday or make her something special. I think once she is older it would be fun to plan to take her to a movie for her birthday with just hubby and I and then if she wants a birthday party with her friends we can do thatÂ separately.Â

I think a special keepsake is a great idea or start a new family tradition for birthdays that don't necessarily require a birthday present. I know I want to start something like that but I'm not quite sure what to do yet. I did think about getting Claire just one big present such as maybe a wagon or something so we have one for the summer but I haven't decided since some of them seem to be ridiculously expensive. She will need summer clothes but other than that i really don't want her to have anymore toys....our place is too small and she got way too much from the grandparents for Christmas.Â

I've thought about maybe getting her a littleÂ snow globeÂ each birthday or make her something special. I think once she is older it would be fun to plan to take her to a movie for her birthday with just hubby and I and then if she wants a birthday party with her friends we can do thatÂ separately.Â

I love the idea of a new family tradition! I'll have to give some thought to what a good one might be. Perhaps DH will have something he'd like to do for or with the little guy. Come to think of it, perhaps I'll poll the family and let them help come up with ideas. It won't keep the grandparents from buying gifts (nor would I really want to take that joy from them), but it might move the focus off of the gifts a bit.

I love the idea of a new family tradition! I'll have to give some thought to what a good one might be. Perhaps DH will have something he'd like to do for or with the little guy. Come to think of it, perhaps I'll poll the family and let them help come up with ideas. It won't keep the grandparents from buying gifts (nor would I really want to take that joy from them), but it might move the focus off of the gifts a bit.

What about getting her a first birthday figurine? Precious Moments make some pretty cute ones and it looks like a train with different animals and every year you buy the next one and they form a train. Â Even a recordable storybook is a cute idea for a first birthday! Another idea I thought about was making one of those photo books you can create online and have printed out with pictures and text all about babies first year. It will be something for the LO to look back at as they grow.Â

What about getting her a first birthday figurine? Precious Moments make some pretty cute ones and it looks like a train with different animals and every year you buy the next one and they form a train. Â Even a recordable storybook is a cute idea for a first birthday! Another idea I thought about was making one of those photo books you can create online and have printed out with pictures and text all about babies first year. It will be something for the LO to look back at as they grow.Â

I saw you wanted to do a special keepsake and Precious Moments make really cute figurines for each year that make a train. They're adorable. My mom did it for my little cousin and she has 7 so far (she's 7 years old) and it's just so cute. She knows now that every birthday she'll get a new piece to her train and she loves it!

As for gift ideas for Emma, I think I'm going to get her a little pool for the summer, a wagon, and maybe some clothes and that's it.

I saw you wanted to do a special keepsake and Precious Moments make really cute figurines for each year that make a train. They're adorable. My mom did it for my little cousin and she has 7 so far (she's 7 years old) and it's just so cute. She knows now that every birthday she'll get a new piece to her train and she loves it!

As for gift ideas for Emma, I think I'm going to get her a little pool for the summer, a wagon, and maybe some clothes and that's it.

Figurines are more difficult for a boy, sadly. And his grandparents got him a recordable book for Christmas. Though I may see what's out there that might be good for his first birthday. It is hard to walk that line between wanting to get him something he'll enjoy and wanting that to also be something special and memorable for his first birthday. Realistically, I'll probably have to choose one or the other. But I'm loving the ideas you ladies have! You're so creative!

Figurines are more difficult for a boy, sadly. And his grandparents got him a recordable book for Christmas. Though I may see what's out there that might be good for his first birthday. It is hard to walk that line between wanting to get him something he'll enjoy and wanting that to also be something special and memorable for his first birthday. Realistically, I'll probably have to choose one or the other. But I'm loving the ideas you ladies have! You're so creative!

we do toys for xmas and contribution to college fund for birthdays now. courtney's birthday is jan 27th so there is no way she will be needing anything else. she has tons of clothes plus hand me downs from my older daughter. she could probably use summer clothes but they'd be hard to find this time of year. here's hoping she will grow someday and fit into the 18 month summer wardrobe from my oldest

we do toys for xmas and contribution to college fund for birthdays now. courtney's birthday is jan 27th so there is no way she will be needing anything else. she has tons of clothes plus hand me downs from my older daughter. she could probably use summer clothes but they'd be hard to find this time of year. here's hoping she will grow someday and fit into the 18 month summer wardrobe from my oldest

It was in the mid-70s here today. Poor kid needs a summer wardrobe right now! I think we're leaning toward a college fund for his birthday as are my parents. We'll let DH's family go with whatever they'd like and will, worst case scenario, send the little guy's least favorite toys to a local charity. I'm hoping that won't be necessary though. But we'll likely be moving pretty quickly after his birthday and cannot possibly pack and take everything that boy owns!

It was in the mid-70s here today. Poor kid needs a summer wardrobe right now! I think we're leaning toward a college fund for his birthday as are my parents. We'll let DH's family go with whatever they'd like and will, worst case scenario, send the little guy's least favorite toys to a local charity. I'm hoping that won't be necessary though. But we'll likely be moving pretty quickly after his birthday and cannot possibly pack and take everything that boy owns!

I know you decided on the college fund for his bday but if your in-laws insist on getting him something...we are ordering a fabric alphabet and number set for our LO in Sock Monkey fabric. I am so excited!! He got so much for Christmas we are only getting him that and another something small, and then of course his party.

I know you decided on the college fund for his bday but if your in-laws insist on getting him something...we are ordering a fabric alphabet and number set for our LO in Sock Monkey fabric. I am so excited!! He got so much for Christmas we are only getting him that and another something small, and then of course his party.

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